Epic Games released a preview of its newly rebranded launcher, which the company claims has a 5.47-second cold start time compared to Steam's 10.07 seconds, making it 1.8x faster. The update, described as 'vibe coded' in a humorous tone, also introduces Linux support for Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, Fedora 43, and Debian 12. The launcher features game pages, connected libraries, and social tools but omits some functions from the current version.
The announcement faced criticism for its tone-deaf marketing, with one outlet noting the timing coincided with Epic's recent layoffs. Tim Sweeney, CEO, emphasized an 'AI pivot' at the company, though the launcher's development was attributed to 'vibe coding' rather than traditional programming. The new launcher allows access to Steam libraries and includes a download manager, faster search, and customization options, but some social features remain unavailable.
Despite the speed improvements, the launcher lacks unique features that differentiate it from Steam or GOG. Critics argued the update fails to address broader issues with the Epic Games Store, such as its identity crisis. The Linux support marks a first for Epic, though most games remain Windows-only and require compatibility layers.